Robberies are one of the most common crimes in existence, however sometimes these go beyond pickpocketing and residential break-ins.

Here, we will show you some of the most audacious bank robberies from the past 15 years, showing you how daring, and sometimes sophisticated, criminals can be when it comes to cash.

The Agricultural Bank of China Robbery, 2007

In April 2007, China saw its largest bank robbery in history. Two vault managers, with the assistance of two security guards, working at the Handan branch of the Agricultural Bank of China stole the equivalent of around £4.4 million from the bank.

The two managers, named as Ren Xiaofeng and Ma Xiangjing, were charged with embezzlement and Zhao Xuenan and Zang Qiang, the security guards, were charged with misappropriating public funds. These accomplices, among others, were given prison sentences, while the managers were sentenced to death and executed in Heibei province on 1st April 2008.

Sumitomo Bank in London Heist, 2007

In September 2007, a group of experienced hackers attempted to pull off one of the biggest bank heists in British history. The culprits, Hugh Rodley and David Nash, attempted to use high-tech hacking equipment to steal £229 million from the Sumitomo Bank in London.

One year prior to this incident, two men visited the branch and asked to speak to the bank’s security supervisor, Kevin O’Donoghue. In a meeting, O’Donoghue claimed that the men coerced him into helping with the heist and threatened his family, but later admitted conspiracy to steal.

The heist had potential, as the robbers had installed ‘key-logger’ software on bank computers in an attempt to discover passwords. Although Rodley and Nash were expert hackers, their skills were no match for the banks security systems. After 23 failed attempts over two days, the trio were arrested, charged and prosecuted by police.

Harry Winston Heist, 2008

One of strangest and most daring heists in recent history was the Harry Winston Heist in Paris in 2008. A group of four men stormed an exclusive Paris jewellery shop disguised as women, and escaped with US$108 million worth of diamonds.

The men were heavily armed and forced employees and customers into a corner before raiding cases and leaving the scene.

The men were never found, and have been nicknamed ‘the Pink Panthers’ by French police, who suspect the robbers to be part of a larger Yugoslavian crime network.

These crimes are just some of the most audacious of recent history. At BWS Security, we are committed to providing effective security services in Bristol. If you need help with your security, contact us today by calling 01179 255755.